The Brooklyn-based R&B singer delivered a heartfelt performance on Sunday with The Extraordinaires, igniting a sold-out Grand Rapids crowd. Review by Tricia Woolfenden, photos by Anthony Norkus.
Victim of Love, Disciple of Soul: Charles Bradley electrified a capacity crowd in the intimate confines of The Pyramid Scheme on Sunday. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Charles Bradley’s love for his audience is so deep, so sincere, so palpable — not even an early-winter illness could hold back the Screaming Eagle of Soul’s passion for performance.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
All The Right Moves: Charles Bradley. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Mr. Bradley copped early on to feeling under the weather, but pledged to a sold-out Pyramid Scheme crowd that while the body was struggling, the spirit was strong. Indeed, it was.
Bradley, 65, has become a hero in certain musical and cultural circles. Born in Gainesville, Fla., and raised in Brooklyn, Bradley persevered through decades of poverty and pain only to find success and adulation late in life. His story resonates, in part, because America loves a second act. And what a second act Bradley has delivered.
Sunday night’s performance was complete with a costume change (going from a customized orangey-red jumpsuit with an eagle emblazoned on the back, to a black-and-gold get-up) and Bradley’s fantastic dance moves, which hearken back to his days as a James Brown impersonator.
Backed by his appropriately named band, The Extraordinaires, Bradley covered a wide selection of his material, closing with an oh-so-heartfelt rendition of “Victim of Love,” the title track from his most recent album.
The crowd (warmed up by neo-soul singer-songwriter Caroline Smith) was electrified — swaying and swooning to a quality of raw soul and R&B on which their parents were raised.
This was the real thing: This was baby-makin’ music. This was Doctor Love. This was the Black Rose.
Grand Rapids was blessed to have hosted an artist of his caliber and in such an intimate setting, so kudos to the Pyramid Scheme’s venue manager Nicole LaRae for working so hard to bring Bradley to West Michigan. Grand Rapids’ music fans thank you.
— Tricia Woolfenden for Local Spins
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
